State Plans Issue 1 Ad Blitz

Published: October 21, 1999 12:00 AM

Walking through a construction site, Gov. Bob Taft appears in a television advertisement telling Ohio voters he needs their help to lower the costs for building new schools.

Taft is part of a $400,000 ad campaign hitting the airwaves statewide Monday promoting the passage of state Issue 1 on the Nov. 2 ballot. The issue amends the Ohio Constitution to allow the state to use general obligation bonds to finance the construction of public school buildings as well as facilities at state-owned colleges and universities.

Brian Hicks, Taft's chief of staff, said polling conducted by supporters indicates voters are confused about the issue and he worries that it will not pass unless advocates draw more attention to its value.

"Our fear is that voters will not know what this is about," he said. "People need to understand that this is a good thing for schools."

Authorizing the state to use general obligation bonds to finance the construction of new schools allows the state to borrow money at the cheapest rate available, advocates said. For every $1 billion borrowed by the state through the bonds, the state pays about $980,000 less in interest costs than under its current financial arrangement.

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In the advertisement Taft says: "I've got a plan to rebuild Ohio schools. And the first step is to vote 'yes' on Issue 1."

Taft wants to spend $10 billion in state dollars and $13 billion in locally raised property taxes over the next 12 years to repair and replace all inadequate public school buildings in the state.

Half of the state's share will be paid through cash it has in the bank and money it will receive from a national lawsuit settlement with tobacco companies.

The other $5 billion will be borrowed using the general obligation bonds. The Building to Learn Committee, set up to promote Issue 1, said the state would save $72 million in interest costs if the measure passed.

Mark Weaver, Building to Learn spokesman, said the committee will spend about $400,000 to air the commercial on stations around the state. The average viewer will see the commercial about seven times before election day.

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The committee plans to raise about $500,000 to support passage of the issue, which was placed on the ballot by state lawmakers. No lawmaker voted against putting the issue on the ballot.

The ad shows dilapidated schools in rural southern Ohio districts and Mansfield City Schools and says the state can build more new schools without raising taxes if Issue 1 passes.

The only group expressing opposition to the plan is the National Taxpayers Union of Ohio.

Scott Pullins, union director, said state taxes may not increase to fund the plan, but local school districts would have to pay for a portion of the new buildings. He said the $13 billion in local property taxes required to complete Taft's plans amounts to $3,000 more in taxes for every Ohio household.

Issue 1 was defeated by voters in May 1998 when it was coupled with Issue 2, a plan to increase the state sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent.

"Last year voters sent a message to find more money for schools by cutting other government spending, but instead politicians keep putting these issues up," Pullins said.

The state does not need to have the cheaper bonds to complete Taft's plan, but Hicks said financing a campaign to authorize the bonds is worth the investment. He said Taft is personally raising campaign contributions and urging voters to support the issue.